Madrid are a Real Embarrassment

By Brian Lofrumento | 18th December 2008

Madrid are a Real Embarrassment | read this item

cristiano_ronaldo Ah, yes. Yesterday’s biggest news story was all about Real Madrid and their ongoing love affair with Cristiano Ronaldo. As a Premier League fan, I must admit my disgust at the unprofessionalism of Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo.

This story hits home especially hard for myself, being a United fan. Ronaldo’s 42 goal haul from last season was incredible, and will forever be remembered by United fans. Even with that, though, it’s hard to not be left with a bitter taste in my mouth. Ronaldo toyed with United fans, the press, and football fans around the globe all summer as he refused to make a defiant statement and pledge his allegiance to a side that has plucked him from relative obscurity and turned him into a world superstar. Real Madrid have been doing the same thing; since the summer they’ve been promising Real fans that they’d sign the “best player in the world” but only coming up with “gems” such as Rafael van der Vaart, who is already unhappy at the club. Now, finally, the world media is slowly starting to accept that Ronaldo is off to Madrid this summer.

I can’t help but wonder if there is any truth to these rumors. It would explain a lot of things, that’s for sure. To start, Pedro Trapote said that “it is best to not say anything because there are some clauses that prevent us from announcing it now.” These clauses that Trapote mention must be very stringent, especially considering the vast sums of money that Real would be paying for the Portuguese winger. As forum member John Pini pointed out, it would go a long way towards explaining why Ronaldo has been so cautious this year, at one point even walking off the pitch against Sunderland. As part of the deal I am sure that Ronaldo must remain fit; Real Madrid will be weary of another Jonathan Woodgate episode.

On the flip side of this, though, there are a lot of things that suggest Real Madrid are once again bluffing. Sir Alex Ferguson has reiterated time and time again that as long as he wants the Portuguese winger, United will keep him. This could also be a smokescreen for club President Ramon Calderon. Hinting that the club has signed the “world’s best player” would go a long way towards pleasing fans who are unhappy with the current team’s dismal form and poor performances. But, do we all really believe that Cristiano Ronaldo will be jumping ship alongside the ranks of Lassana Diarra? It’s hard to say.

One thing is for sure, though, and that is that Ronaldo’s form is nowhere near his best this season. He has been uninspirational for United this season, and is yet to score a goal away from Old Trafford this year. Unless Ronaldo gets his head back in the game, I expect players like Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres to far surpass the peaks reached by Ronaldo in his short career.

What are your thoughts on the issue? Have your say in the Forum and call in to this Sunday’s LIVE Podcast at 1:00pm EST, 6:00pm GMT.

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Madrid are a Real Embarrassment

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